Lot 20144 – Utuado Provisional. 1898 (Sept 7). Cover to San Juan bearing very fine strike of “ALCALDIA MUNICIPAL/DE UTUADO” oval star handstamp

Utuado Provisional. 1898 (Sept 7). Cover to San Juan bearing very fine strike of “ALCALDIA MUNICIPAL/DE UTUADO” oval star handstamp in violet which was used as a provisional 5c franking to denote the payment of this postage, accompanied by Urtado dispatch cds in black, sender’s “N. Canals y Ca” straight-line cachet above, addressee’s panel with some ink erosions not detracting from the fresh appearance and good strikes; a very fine example of this rare provisional usage, when the mayor’s office of Utuado had the control of the mail service, in this instance used on mail crossing the enemy’s lines, as San Juan was controlled by the Spanish before their withdrawal on October 18; ex Junghaans, Scalley and Gallagher.